Luminaire



Nov. 5, 1963 K. FRANCK ETAL LUMINAIRE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1960 www ATTORN EYS Nov. 5, 1963 K. FRANCK ETAL 3,109,599

LUMINAIRE Filed Feb. 4, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 \NVENTORS KURT FQflA K Vin/a 5. MA/UE ATTORN EYS .rescent lamp gradually decreases.

United States Patent 3,1tl?,599 LUMINAmE Kurt Franck and Vearl S. Wince, Newark, Ohio, assignors to Holophane Company, Inc., New York, N .Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 6,676 4 Claims. (Cl. 24tl-51.11)

Fluorescent lamps operate more efiiciently at normal temperatures. In luminaires employing fluorescent tubes, the tubes are enclosed by the refractors and associated housing parts and heat generated by the ballast equipment and the tubes is confined within the luminaire to cause a temperature rise therein. As the temperatures within the luminaire increase, the light output of the fluo- The ballast equipment provided for operation of the fluorescent tubes overheats along with the tubes. If the temperature rises beyond a certain degree the ballast equipment cannot operate properly, and excessive temperatures for long periods of time will shorten the ballast life and even cause premature failure of the fluorescent lighting fixture equipment.

The present invention is particularly directed to enclosed shallow-depth lighting units which are mounted directly in the ceiling. With such types of units the problem of dissipating the heat generated within the unit is acute. Due to the nature of the construction of such units, there is usually very little exposed metal to conduct and radiate heat away from the unit and temperatures near the critical point generally occur.

In accordancewith the present invention the above disadvantages of high temperatures are overcome to a large degree in a luminaire construction which still provides for an advantageous uniform light distribution over the ceiling area which is lighted by the unit. The luminaire of the present invention includes a substantially flat ceiling mounting pan having a central panel upon which is disposed the ballast equipment and wire leads for the fluorescent lamps which are placed on each side thereof. The ballast equipment and the wiring is enclosed by an elongated central metallic panel which is placed in direct contact with the ballast equipment to conduct and radiate heat away from the unit. With such a construction the ballast operating temperatures are reduced appreciably and as a consequence of cooler ballast, the ambient temperature within the lamp chamber is also reduced to result in more efficient lamp operation.

A feature of the construction is the provision of refractor units for enclosing the lamps positioned on each side of the central radiating panel. Each of the refractor units includes light directing prisms for directing light downwardly in useful directions and also for directing a portion of the light back upwardly against the radiating panel so that this portion of the luminaire will not appear as a dark surface on the ceiling. The refractors are hinged to the radiating panel and are held at their opposite outer ends by a releasable clip member so that access to the interior of the fixture at the location of the fluorescent lamp may be afforded very easily.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an improved luminaire construction.

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A further object of the invention is to provide an improved luminaire including ballast equipment arranged along a central longitudinally elongated panel, which equipment is covered by a metallic radiating and reflecting plate arranged to conduct and radiate heat away from the ballast equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a luminaire construction including a longitudinally elongated central metallic radiating and reflecting plat-e arranged to cover the ballast equipment for operating fluorescent lamps arranged on each side thereof, which lamps are enclosed by refractor members which are hinged at the radiating and reflecting plate and held at their outer sides by releasable clips.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved refractor for a luminaire including a heat radiating metal plate disposed laterally of the refractor member in which the refractor includes light directing prisms for directing a substantial portion of the light downwardly below the luminaire and a portion of light back upwardly against the heat conducting and reflective plate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a luminaire which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple panel ceiling luminaire constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view looking in the directions of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein includes a luminaire generally designated 10 which may include a single longitudinally elongated panel section or a plurality of sections as indicated in FIG. 1. Each of the panel sections of the luminaire 10 is suspended from downwardly depending studs 12 of a ceiling mounting plate or channel 14 (FIGS. 2 and 4). For this purpose the luminaire 10 includes a shallow depth pan or plate generally designated 16.

The plate 16 includes a central lamp wire and ballast supporting plate 18 having two centrally disposed openings 20 to receive the depending studs 12. The pan 16 is held to the ceiling mounting plate 14 by means of wing nuts 22 which are threaded on the studs 12 after they are positioned in the openings 20. A pair of ballast members 24 are secured to the panel 18.

The pan 16 includes laterally extending side portions 26 and 28 at the end of each section of which are welded lamp socket side plates generally designated 30. The lamp socket side plates carry two sets of socket members 32 and 34 arranged on each side of the plate. Each of the socket members 32 and 34 is provided with two lamp socket members for receiving and supporting a fluorescent tube 36 between lamp socket side plates 30 arranged at each end of the pan 16. Electrical wires or cable are connected to each of the socket members 32 and 34 and directed along the panel 18 and outwardly through an opening 38 therein for connection to wires located in the ceiling (not shown). The pan 16 is stiffened along its length by side brace. members 40 which are secured at spaced longitudinal positions thereon as by welding.

In accordance with the invention the panel 18 and the associated ballast and wiring is covered by a heat conductive and radiating channel assembly generally designated 42. The channel assembly 42 in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings (see FIG. 4) is advantageously made of three separate parts including a central U-shaped heat dissipating and reflecting panel member generally designated 44 and side flange members 46 and 45; which are secured to sides of the central panel 44. The complete assembly is held to the pan 16 on depending stud members 50 by means of captive nuts 52.

In the assembled position the panel member 44 contacts the ballast 24 and conducts and radiates the heat away from this member. For this purpose the panel member is advantageously made of a highly conductive metal such as extruded aluminum which permits a high degree of radiation and light reflection. The outer face 54 of the panel member 44 is advantageously made of prismatic configuration both to increase the area of radiating surface and to provide a reflective face for lighting purposes in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. In place of the prismatic configuration on the outer face 54 this face may include a decorative pattern. I

In accordance with another feature of the invention the central panel members 44, 46 and 48 are provided with cutaway or notched areas 56 on .each side thereof adapted to receive a hook shaped hinge and supporting clip'member 58 which is connected to a metal reinforcing channel 60. The channel 60 is fitted over the inner end of a channel shaped refractor member generally designated 62. The reinforcing channel 66 is attached to the refractor 62 by means of rivets 63 (FIG 2) which are positioned in slots 64 provided to allow for expansion between the metal of the reinforcing channel 66 and the material of the refractor plate 62 which is advantageously a translucent plastic. The opposite sides of the refractor member 62 include inwardly directed flanges 66 which are swung upwardly against the outside face of the pan 16 and are supported in this position by a bottom arm 78b of a holding clip member generally designated 70 (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 2).

The holding clip member 70 includes a substantially horizontal flat portion 72 which is pivoted on a shouldered rivet 74 and includes a finger control arm 76 at one end and a supporting arm 78 at the opposite end. The

supporting arm '78 includes an upper portion 76a which is bent around a slot 79 in the pan member 16 in order to provide an additional holdin support for the clip member 70; It also includes a larger portion 78b which may be positioned beneath the flange 66 of the refractor member 62. The clip member 76 is biased either when it is in a' closed refractor member supporting position as indicated in FIG. 2, or when it is in an open position at which the supporting arm 78 is moved outwardly from beneath the flange 66. The biasing is accomplished by means of a tension spring 80 which is connected to tab 81 on the flat portion 72 adjacent the arm 76 and to a lug 82 on the pan member 16. Movement of the flat portion on the pivot 74 is effective to swing the spring 80 across the pivot line in each of the extreme open or closed positions of the clip member so that the clip member is biased in both of these positions.

Each of the light transmitting members or refractors 62 are installed by tipping the hook-shaped clips 58 so that the hook end is positioned inside the notched area 56 of the panel 42. The refractor member 62 is then swung upwardly at its opposite end and held by entogether.

4: gaging the flange 66 with the arm 78 of theclip member 70.

While in FIG. 1 the units are shown as being installed in rows with the refractor members together in end to end relationship, the luminaire 10 may include a single length in which'case end plates 34 are fastened to the outer faces of each of the lamp socket supporting plates 36. When the refractor members 62 are installed in rows, rather than a single length the end plates 84 are positioned at each of the extreme ends. Adjacent sections are connected to the ceiling and positioned in alignment andsupport plates 30 of adjacent units are bolted While the tuiit is primarily intended for location on a mounting directly against the ceiling it can,

of course, be suspended below the ceiling by means of suitable'stems which would connect to the supporting plates 14. p

The central flange assembly 42 may be easily removed by removing the knurled nuts 52 on'each side. A centering tongue 86 is provided on the lamp socket supporting plates 30 to facilitate positioning of the flange assembly 42 when it is replaced.

The refractor members 62 carry longitudinal rows of cut off cone members 34 which accept light from any direction within the lamp cavity such as at extreme light ray angles as represented by the light rays 86 and 88. The rays 86 and 88 are emitted through the cutolf cone members 34 in vertical angles from nadir to substantially 60 in all azimuths, as indicated by rays 88 and 86. A side wall 90 is provided with horizontally disposed rows of prisms 92 on its inner face, and light rays originating from the incident angle extremes indicated by rays 94 and 96 are directed upwardly at angles 94' and 96' when they are received on the upper portion of the prisms. Light incident on the lower face of each of the prisms 92 emerges in downward directions as indicated by the light rays $6 and 94". I

The outer face of the side wall 96 is provided with substantially vertical rows of prisms 19% which act to prevent light rays indicated at 94 and 96" from being emitted at angles above 60 from nadir at wide lateral angles. 7

An inside face 102 of the refractor member includes a plurality of horizontal rows of prisms 164 and an outside face thereof includes substantially vertical rows of prisms 106. These prisms Ill-4 and .166 function similarly to the prisms 92 and ran and rays 168 and 114) which are incident on the upper portions of the inside prisms 164 are directed upwardly as light rays 1% and and effect illumination of the central panel face 5 Light rays incident on the lower portions of the prisms 1G4 emerge as light rays .108" and 116".

Thus the invention provides a luminaire which includes a central panel which aids in dissipating by radiation and conduction heat generated by the ballast and electrical equipment confined therein and which includes side refrac= tor members which are hinged to the central panel and which may be clipped at the outer end of a supporting pan. The refractor members include light directing prisms for directing a portion of the light directed downwardly from fluorescent lamps below which they are positioned to illuminate the centralheat dissipating panel. With such an arrangement the panel member does not present a darkened area in the ceiling and the illumination of the complete fixture is enhanced. The refractor member also includes prisms for insuring that the light is directed downwardly in useful angles and not outwardly at wide angles which would produce glare.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described indetail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is: V

1. A luminaire for mounting adjacent a ceiling and the sac-9,599

like, comprising, mounting plate means for securing the luminaire adjacent the ceiling, a longitudinally elongated heat dissipating panel depending from said mounting plate means, said heat dissipating panel including a heat radiating panel member having an outer surface facing downwardly and exposed to the open atmosphere and an inner surface opposite said outer surface facing upwardly, a ballast member, means for supporting said ballast member in heat conductive contact on said inner surface of said heat radiating panel member and positioned below said mounting plate means, means for supporting an elongated linear light source adjacent a side of said heat dissipating panel and substantially parallel thereto, and a refractor supported from said mounting plate means and said heat dissipating panel to the side thereof, a portion of said refractor extending downwardly adjacent and below said panel member outer surface and including prism means thereon for directing a portion of light incident thereon from the light source upwardly to illuminate said heat radiating panel member outer surface.

2. A luminaire for mounting adjacent a ceiling and the like, comprising mounting pan means for securing the luminaire against the ceiling, two opposing side panel members depending from a central portion of said mounting pan means and extending downwardly therefrom, longitudinally spaced lamp sockets connected to said pan means adjacent the outer sides of said two side panel members, electrical means for said socket members including a ballast member mounted to said mounting pan means between said two side panel members, heat conductive panel means for conducting heat from said ballast member and extending between the lower edges of said side panels and in heat conductive contact with said ballast member, the outer surface of said heat conductive panel means facing downwardly and being exposed to the open atmosphere, longitudinally elongated refractors hinged to said side panel members at their inner ends, fastening means for holding the outer ends of said refractors to said mounting pan means, said refractors being substantially channel-shaped and each including a portion 6 extending adjacent and downwardly below said heat conductive panel means, said re'fract'ors including prism means on said portions extending below said heat-conducting panel means for directing a portion of light incident thereon upwardly against said outer surface of said heat conductive panel means.

3. A luminaire for mounting adjacent a surface, comprising mounting plate means for securing the luminaire adjacent the surface, a heat-dissipating panel depending from said mounting plate means, said heat-dissipating panel including a heat-radiating panel member having an outer surface facing outwardly and exposed to the open atmosphere and an inner surface opposite said outer surface and facing inwardly, a ballast member, means for supporting said ballast member in heat-conductive contact on said inner surface of said heat radiating panel member, means for supporting a tubular light source laterally of said heat-dissipating panel, and a refractor supported from said mounting plate means and said heat dissipating panel and laterally of said panel, a portion of said refractor extending outwardly of and adjacent to said panel member outer surface, said portion of said refractor including prism means thereon for directing a portion of light incident thereon from the light source inwardly to illuminate said heat-radiating panel member outer surface.

4. The luminaire of claim 3, wherein said outer surface of said panel member is prismatically configured for increasing the area of heat radiating surface and for providing a light reflective face for directing light incident thereon outwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,434,951 Netting Jan. 27, 1948 2,596,634 Wince May 13, 1952 2,800,574 Belbes et al July 23, 1957 2,873,358 Dunker Feb. 10, 1959 2,886,699 Harling May 12, 1959 2,912,568 Winkler Nov. 10, 1959 

3. A LUMINAIRE FOR MOUNTING ADJACENT A SURFACE, COMPRISING MOUNTING PLATE MEANS FOR SECURING THE LUMINAIRE ADJACENT THE SURFACE, A HEAT-DISSIPATING PANEL DEPENDING FROM SAID MOUNTING PLATE MEANS, SAID HEAT-DISSIPATING PANEL INCLUDING A HEAT-RADIATING PANEL MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER SURFACE FACING OUTWARDLY AND EXPOSED TO THE OPEN ATMOSPHERE AND AN INNER SURFACE OPPOSITE SAID OUTER SURFACE AND FACING INWARDLY, A BALLAST MEMBER, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BALLAST MEMBER IN HEAT-CONDUCTIVE CONTACT ON SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID HEAT RADIATING PANEL MEMBER, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A TUBULAR LIGHT SOURCE LATERALLY OF SAID HEAT-DISSIPATING PANEL, AND A REFRACTOR SUPPORTED FROM SAID MOUNTING PLATE MEANS AND SAID HEAT DISSIPATING PANEL AND LATERALLY OF SAID PANEL, A PORTION OF SAID REFRACTOR EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF AND ADJACENT TO SAID PANEL MEMBER OUTER SURFACE, SAID PORTION OF SAID REFRACTOR INCLUDING PRISM MEANS THEREON FOR DIRECTING A PORTION OF LIGHT INCIDENT THEREON FROM THE LIGHT SOURCE INWARDLY TO ILLUMINATE SAID HEAT-RADIATING PANEL MEMBER OUTER SURFACE. 